Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

October 31, 1985 · Piper PA-34-220T · N8401E

Ocilla, GA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 31, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Ocilla, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-220T
Tail Number
N8401E
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86FA014

THE PILOT OF THE SECOND COMPANY AIRCRAFT TO ARRIVE IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT HELD WHILE THE FIRST ATTEMPTED AN NDR APPROACH. AFTER THE FIRST AIRCRAFT MADE A MISSED APPROACH THE PILOT OF THE SECOND AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTED THE APPROACH. THE AIRCRAFT FLEW INTO THE TREES SEVERAL MILES PRIOR TO REACHING THE AIRPORT. A RADAR ALTIMETER WAS ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT BUT WAS NOT USED. THE PILOT COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS JUST ANOTHER DANG BUZZER AND THERE WERE TOO MANY OF THOSE ALREADY.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT OF THE SECOND COMPANY AIRCRAFT TO ARRIVE IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT HELD WHILE THE FIRST ATTEMPTED AN NDR APPROACH. AFTER THE FIRST AIRCRAFT MADE A MISSED APPROACH THE PILOT OF THE SECOND AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTED THE APPROACH. THE AIRCRAFT FLEW INTO THE TREES SEVERAL MILES PRIOR TO REACHING THE AIRPORT. A RADAR ALTIMETER WAS ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT BUT WAS NOT USED. THE PILOT COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS JUST ANOTHER DANG BUZZER AND THERE WERE TOO MANY OF THOSE ALREADY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 EST
Nearest AirportFitzgerald Municipal (4nm SSW)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-220T
Tail NumberN8401E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSI00360KBIA · Reciprocating · 220
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind40° @ 4 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data